Assemblywoman Erica Roth (Assembly District 24) presented Assembly Bill 467, a measure that aims to increase access to forensic mental‑health services. The bill authorizes (rather than requires) the Division of Public and Behavioral Health to contract with external organizations to provide forensic services that support competency restoration and other forensic treatment pathways.

Roth told the committee the bill’s intent is to expand options so defendants with mental-health needs can receive appropriate forensic services that can restore competency and reduce time in detention.

Agency response and fiscal note
Cody Finney, administrator of the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, told the committee the division initially filed a fiscal note but later removed it after clarifying the expected program structure and leveraging existing jail-based and community programming.

"We can add some of these services to the existing program that's been so successful that we refer to as jail based programming, and that can be done at fairly reasonable cost," Finney said. "This may, in fact, end up saving the division money and that people will move through the system more quickly."

Support and next steps
Cadence Matejevich, representing Washoe County, testified in support and cited local experience with jail-based forensic programs that shorten the time to competency under court-ordered treatment. No public opposition was recorded at the hearing. Committee members asked clarifying questions and received assurances the bill’s contracting approach is intended to be flexible and to rely on existing programs when feasible.

Ending: The committee heard support from local stakeholders and received agency confirmation that the fiscal impact can be managed within current resources; the bill will proceed through committee scheduling for further consideration.